White House Counsel Gregory Katsas Confirmed to D.C. Circuit Bench

Despite having never served on the bench, President Trump's current White House attorney, and the former assistant attorney general under George W. Bush, Gregory Katsas, has been confirmed to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Katsas was just barely confirmed by the Senate. The vote came back 50 to 48. Surprisingly, in the otherwise partisan vote, one republican voted against Katsas, while one democrat voted for him.

Perhaps what made this such a close vote, apart from the usual partisan politics, was his reluctance to distance himself, once on the bench, from the policies he had a hand in shaping, or previously fought against. Katsas challenged the Affordable Care Act's constitutionality and became critical of the court when it upheld the act. He also advised the president regarding matters that are currently being, or are likely to be, litigated, including the travel ban, DACA, and the reversal of the policy regarding transgender individuals in the military.

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DC Circuit features news and information from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which hears appeals from U.S. District Courts in the District of Columbia. This blog also features news that would be of interest to legal professionals practicing in the D.C. Circuit. Have a comment or tip? Write to us.